CNS - AKL

$279 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Auckland - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$461
Typical prices: $463-$659
Jetstar
Sat 10/13Thu 10/18
CNS - AKL • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$1,101
Typical prices: $587-$660
Air New Zealand
Fri 9/21Fri 9/28
CNS - AKL • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Air New Zealand. Average duration is 5h 00m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 78% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 26 weeks in advance save around 49% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 23% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $391 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 9h 30m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Auckland (CNS-AKL)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Cairns to Auckland

Tue, Oct 13 - Sun, Oct 18
Jetstar Logo
7:00 am - 8:20 pmCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
10h 20m1 stop Christchurch
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 5:00 pmAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 45m1 stop Maroochydore Sunshine Coast
$461Jetstar
Tue, Oct 13 - Sun, Oct 18
Jetstar Logo
7:00 am - 8:20 pmCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
10h 20m1 stop Christchurch
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 5:00 pmAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 45m1 stop Maroochydore Sunshine Coast
$485Jetstar
Tue, Oct 13 - Sun, Oct 18
Jetstar Logo
7:00 am - 8:20 pmCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
10h 20m1 stop Christchurch
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 5:00 pmAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 45m1 stop Maroochydore Sunshine Coast
$492Jetstar
Fri, Nov 20 - Sat, Nov 28
Jetstar Logo
9:45 am - 12:15 amCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
7:15 pm - 9:00 amAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
16h 45m1 stop Brisbane
$496Jetstar
Fri, Jan 29 - Mon, Mar 1
Jetstar Logo
9:45 am - 12:15 amCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
8:45 pm - 8:30 amAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
14h 45m1 stop Melbourne
$504Jetstar
Tue, Oct 13 - Sun, Oct 18
Jetstar Logo
7:00 am - 5:50 pmCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
7h 50m1 stop Christchurch
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 5:00 pmAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 45m1 stop Maroochydore Sunshine Coast
$506Jetstar
Fri, Nov 20 - Sat, Nov 28
Jetstar Logo
9:45 am - 12:15 amCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
7:15 pm - 9:00 amAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
16h 45m1 stop Brisbane
$514Jetstar
Tue, Oct 13 - Sun, Oct 18
Jetstar Logo
7:00 am - 5:50 pmCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
7h 50m1 stop Christchurch
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 5:00 pmAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 45m1 stop Maroochydore Sunshine Coast
$522Jetstar
Tue, Oct 13 - Wed, Oct 14
Jetstar Logo
7:00 am - 8:20 pmCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
10h 20m1 stop Christchurch
Jetstar Logo
6:25 pm - 8:30 amAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
17h 05m1 stop Brisbane
$532Jetstar
Tue, Oct 13 - Wed, Oct 14
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 5:50 pmCNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
7h 50m1 stop Christchurch
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:25 pm - 11:20 pmAKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
7h 55m1 stop Brisbane
$547Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Cairns to Auckland flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Cairns to Auckland with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Cairns to Auckland?

Round-trip flights from Cairns to Auckland start at $461. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $463 to $659. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $461 on Jetstar.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Auckland?

Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Auckland, it is 19% cheaper than the average day. Wednesday is the most expensive day with flight prices 12% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Auckland?

  • June is the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Auckland at $440 round-trip.
  • December ($680) and September ($665) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 54% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Cairns to Auckland the cheapest?

Flights from Cairns to Auckland are cheapest 26 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 49% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Cairns to Auckland flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$279
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 3% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 12% lower on average.
Flight from Cairns to Auckland

When to book flights from Cairns to Auckland

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Cairns to Auckland based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Cairns to Auckland flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • What airlines are available from Cairns to Auckland?

    Only Air New Zealand operates flights between Cairns and Auckland.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Cairns to Auckland?

    Flights from Cairns to Auckland usually depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Auckland Intl (AKL).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Cairns to Auckland flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Air New Zealand: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Virgin Australia: a cabin bag in Economy Class class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Cairns to Auckland:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Cairns to Auckland?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $391 round-trip via Christchurch (CHC), compared to $622 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $31–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    The Airbus A320neo family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A321neo variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Cairns to Auckland pass through?

    One-stop flights from Cairns to Auckland most commonly connect through:

    • Brisbane (BNE) - 56% of one-stop connections
    • Christchurch (CHC) - 36% of one-stop connections
    • Coolangatta Gold Coast (OOL) - 4% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) - 3% of one-stop connections

    Brisbane (BNE) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    On the Cairns to Auckland route, being flexible with your departure day can save you up to 28%. Sunday is the cheapest day at $468 round-trip on average, while Wednesday is the most expensive at $644: a $176 difference. Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Cairns to Auckland?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Cairns to Auckland route, 22% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 26 minutes.

  • What popular places can I visit in Auckland?

    Some of the most popular sights in Auckland are Sparks Arena, The University of Auckland and New Zealand Maritime Museum. These are among the most viewed places in Auckland on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Cairns to Auckland:

    • Earliest: departs at 10:55 am and lands at 3:55 pm
    • Latest: departs at 11:55 am and lands at 4:55 pm.

    The flight takes about 5h 00m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Cairns to Auckland flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 24% above the route average of $572. Book 26 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Cairns to Auckland?

    A nonstop flight from Cairns to Auckland takes 5h 00m, covering 2,247 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Cairns to Auckland?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How are flight prices from Cairns to Auckland looking right now?

    One-way fares from Cairns to Auckland are currently in line with typical prices for this route. Average one-way fares are about $342.

  • How does Air New Zealand’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on Cairns to Auckland flights?

    Air New Zealand is the only airline operating Cairns to Auckland flights. 78% of its flights are on time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    Afternoon flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Cairns to Auckland?

    Flying via Brisbane (BNE) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 9h 30m, compared with 11h 32m via Melbourne (MEL) and 12h 09m via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD).

  • What is the time difference between Cairns and Auckland?

    Auckland is 2 hours ahead of Cairns (New Zealand Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car rental options are available at Auckland Intl Airport (AKL)?

    Auckland Intl Airport (AKL) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $4 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · New Zealand Discount Car Rentals
    · Snap Rentals
    · EZI
    · Mode
    · Europcar

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Cairns to Auckland flight?

    Round-trip flights from Cairns to Auckland range from $463 to $659, with an average of $572 over the past 12 months. Anything below $463 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Cairns to Auckland flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Sunday departure instead of Wednesday. On this route, Sunday flights average $468 - about $176 less than Wednesday (27% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 26 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 49% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Cairns to Auckland trip for June. Fares historically average $440 round-trip in that month - typically $240 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Christchurch Airport (CHC) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $391 round-trip on this route - about $231 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Auckland Intl Airport.
    - Jetpark Hotel Auckland Airport
    - Ibis Budget Auckland Airport
    - Novotel Auckland Airport

Prefer to fly direct from Cairns to Auckland?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Cairns Airport to Auckland Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Cairns to Auckland Intl

Monday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Tuesday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Thursday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Saturday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Sunday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Auckland Intl to Cairns

Monday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Tuesday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Thursday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Saturday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

Sunday

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from Cairns to Auckland

Information on your arrival and departure airports